Dunstablians 14 pts Luctonians 17

LUCTONIANS toppled Midlands 1 leaders Dunstablians when they produced one of their best performances for many seasons to inflict the first home league defeat on the Bedfordshire club in over three years.

Dunstablians have been one of the outstanding success stories of recent rugby history, winning the RFU Intermediate Cup in 2000 and claiming the Midlands 2 (East) title in dominant fashion last season.

As a result of Lucton-ians' win, Broadstreet went top of the table, two points clear of Dunstab-lians, Longton, Luctonians and Kenil-worth.

The match at Dunstable was full of passion and commitment but both teams produced commendable discipline.

Dunstablians went ahead in the eighth minute with a penalty from left-wing Mornay Loxton. Lucton-ians quickly hit back when left-wing and captain Will Crawforth made a break and switched the ball inside to centre Jon Goodwin with the try line beckoning, only for the pass to be adjudged forward.

Full-back Andy Garrod bundled Dunstablians winger Dave Bradshaw into touch as he almost escaped down the left in a counter-attack.

Although under pressure, the home team edged their way back into the Luctonians' half and Loxton penalties in the 25th and 27th minutes gave his side a 9-0 lead, a score that did not reflect the run of play.

Luctonians kept their composure, however, and declined to kick an easy penalty in front of the posts, opting for a scrum. With the ball won, fly-half Anton Pilli threw a long pass to Crawforth who shook off a tackle to score half-way out.

The conversion was missed but Luctonians quickly laid siege to the Dunstable line.

They could not find a way through some resolute tackling but a quick switch moved the ball wide for full-back Andy Garrod to cross in the right corner and give the visitors a well-deserved 10-9 lead at half-time.

They added a third try in the 50th minute when they won a lineout and spun the ball out for Crawforth to round his man for his second try. Centre Roger Chilman landed the conversion.

Dunstablians were not going to surrender their home record easily, however, and pounded the visitors' line. But it was Luctonians who almost scored again when Crawforth snapped up a loose ball and ran the length of the field, only to be overhauled just short of the try line. Minutes later they did cross the line but Pilli's inside pass to right-wing James Owen was forward.

Dunstable eventually cut the lead with a Loxton try in the corner. His conversion attempt failed but in the last few minutes the home team twice had the opportunity to level the scores with kickable penalties.

They elected to run the ball in seeking a win but the Luctonians defence refused to yield a second time and held on for a memorable victory on their first visit to Bidwell Park.